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HELP IS AT HAND FOR SHIPPERS AND FORWARDERS FEARING DELAYS DUE TO 100% CARGO SCREENING

Freight forwarders and shippers still to decide how to process shipments moving on passenger flights from the United States to meet the Transportation Security Administration’s new 100% screening mandate will find no shortage of assistance in trying to avoid shipment delays, says Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), the world’s largest air cargo handler.

Companies needing help or support, even at this late stage before the August 1st ‘go live’ date for 100% screening can easily access ready-made solutions to ensure they comply with the new security requirements, said Karen Avestruz, WFS’ Director, Cargo Security and Compliance.

“We know companies have made their preparations for 100% screening in different ways over recent months and it is clear that some shippers and forwarders are yet to decide who they are going to work with to meet the TSA mandate. For some small and medium-sized forwarders gaining certification for their own Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) would have been cost prohibitive because of the space, equipment, staff and training costs attached to gaining CCSF status. However, I don’t expect these companies to be too negatively effected by waiting because businesses like WFS have extended their service offer to provide everything they need,” she said.

Through its participation in the CCSF program, WFS is moving beyond its traditional airline customer base to a whole new market reaching shippers and forwarders. It now has six certified CCSF locations in New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Los Angeles and expects to add Baltimore and Charlotte to this list by mid-August, followed by Boston. More CCSF locations will continue to open across the WFS network in North America.

Certification from the TSA as an independent cargo screening facility means WFS can assist cargo shippers to meet the obligation to screen cargo, eliminating the need for forwarders to invest in screening technology. WFS’s independent cargo screening facilities also give forwarders the option to deliver pre-screened cargo to the carrier without having to wait in queue at the cargo facility awaiting screening.
 
The TSA-approved cargo security process includes security screening, cargo build, delivery, maintenance and validation of the security chain of custody for cargo shipments. The WFS facilities are using approved screening technology to expedite shipment processing.

Karen Avestruz added: “WFS is 100% ready for cargo screening in the United States and has been for some time through the work of our Cargo Security and Compliance group. Becoming a resource for independent cargo screening is a logical step in the evolution of the handling business. As with any new situation, there will be many challenges, including ones that perhaps we haven’t foreseen. At this point, we believe that for the first few weeks or maybe months, it is possible that shippers, particularly those that have not planned to make any changes to their current business practices in order to accommodate the new regulations, may experience delays. Sadly, where this happens, it is likely that there will be a flow-on effect for those also waiting to deliver cargo. To address this, WFS has added manpower to prepare for this possibility and also given additional briefings about the new regulations and how to deal with various situations.”